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Jack Mallory

Republicans in action on the House floor. Nearly 30 years of teaching teen-age children and never had this happen in my classroom. Does not bode well.
 

Joanie Bender (Grosfeld)

Joan Ruggles (Young)

So McCarthy wins the Boy Scout badge he's been longing for since forever. Now if he gets thrown out next week, it doesn't matter to him. He's already won the badge. He gets his portrait on the wall. It'll be interesting to see how the 20 obstructionist R's decide to fight McCarthy. Join the Dem's? Not really likely.

Joanie Bender (Grosfeld)

Jack Mallory

More on the artificial intelligence, ChatGPT front. No, kids, you can't get away with it!
 

https://gptzero.me/
 

Joanie Bender (Grosfeld)

Hi Friends, Did anyone see Hakeem Jeffries A - Z run through before handing the gavel over to McCarthy? I thought it was so clever and it took a very short time but he made such good points contrasting the things the Democrats want to do for the country versus the Republicans. I'm just sorry he isn't our Speaker.

Love, Joanie

Stephen Hatchett

Love it, Jack, that a college student wrote, and published for all, code to detect AI written text.  (Now I've got to go find out what "perplexity" refers to -- besides what I feel on encountering the term in this context. )

And yes, you can be glad of moving from CA to NH for better weather.  So far, nothing too bad at our 1800 foot elevation.  Sure we've got slumps of mud threatening to close our only road, but so far the lights have stayed on and the house has stayed on our hillside.  Today is another atmospheric river coming through with at least a couple more lined up for the next 10 or so days.  

Helen, what is the rain story from Santa Rosa? Are you OK?

Helen Lambie (Goldstein)

Hey Stephen! All good here, though there is much flooding in Sonoma County. None that I've seen personally, but then with all of this rain I turn into a hermit. I'm on a hillside, also, but it's bedrock so should remain in place. With the high winds we've been getting, in addition to all the rain, I'm worried about two trees on my neighbors property that could take out my kitchen and family room were they to fall. Once the rains let up I'll see if we can't have them taken down.

Stay safe and well!

Joanie Bender (Grosfeld)

Robert Hall

Nancy Webster (Emery)

Bob.. Thanks for the sad news on Mr Offit's passing  He was quite a character .I have that book. It is quite fascinating to read about the history of  Bethesda  and  how much Bethesda has  changed since the 50's .and has become a mini New York City.. 

Thanks from Nancy E. 

Jack Mallory

Sorry folks, Riley's private eye website had to come down--not ready for prime time for another few days. 
 

But ready for prime time, strutting its stuff in the woods behind the house today, was this Barred Owl. Deb spotted it out the kitchen window, we both grabbed cameras and dashed out. No hurry--it sat in the tree for 2+ hours, just chilling. Keeps the squirrels away from the bird feeder!

Small mammal nightmare:

Joanie Bender (Grosfeld)

Joanie Bender (Grosfeld)

Irene Kovakas (Creed)

I haven't been on rhis site for sometime and enjoyed reading comments.  I had forgotten how much alike we all are in our thoughts and positions...most of us anyway.  As a John Kennedy "baby" I thought we had been through the worst times in our country but am changing my mind watching Republicans act like a-holes. SHIT!...okay, sorry for this. Where's our strong Demo voice?  Anyone?  

Happier 2023 than last year...

Irene Kovakas Creed

Jack Mallory

Good to hear from you, Irene. Yes, those of us that contribute regularly do tend to tilt left!

The eagles seem to be off at their Florida time-share these days; haven't seen them for a month or so. But a nice merganser family has appeared in the Contoocook, completely thawed after those days in the 50s:

Jack Mallory

My mistake. At least one of the eagles IS in residence. 
 

Jack Mallory

Got this via email from the documentary director. A still from an NBC news piece on our anti-war demonstrations in April of 1971. Some wild-eyed radical giving orders for the attack on the Capitol, ordering thousands of Confederate flag waving Vietnam veterans to smash their way into the building, destroy property, assault police officers, and betray democracy.

Oh, wait. That wasn't us, that was Trump's thugs two years ago. We conducted five days of protest without violence. No destruction, no injuries, good relations with the police. We expressed ourselves peacefully but powerfully. Did give Dick Nixon conniptions, though!

Bit of a jolt, though, at 76, to unexpectedly see yourself at 26! No recollection of this at all!

Joanie Bender (Grosfeld)

Jack, Its exciting to see you at the forefront....You look great in the photo and great now. Keep up that adventurous life style. Its good for you and Deb but be careful too. I am a worry wart...Love, Joanie

Jack Mallory

Do I walk so I can take photographs, or do I take photographs to inspire me to walk? How many times have I shot this same view up the river, with the scene, the light, the colors always just a bit different? 

Joanie Bender (Grosfeld)

Jack Mallory

Pant it if you please, Joan! It's not mine, it's Ma Nature's!

Waiting for another 10" or so of snow tonight. Maybe we'll get what used to be a normal winter's worth before spring. 

Helen Lambie (Goldstein)

For anyone out there who has ever felt sorry for themselves at some point in their lives, and that's probably the majority of us, an inspirational story that should stop that in its tracks. From Steve Hartman of CBS news, whose series Kindness 101 has inspired me every time I see it. https://www.cbsnews.com/video/teen-born-without-legs-inspires-on-the-basketball-court

Joanie Bender (Grosfeld)

Hi Jack, I can't paint it because I just do better to paint on location and wasn't planning to go there at the moment....I was just giving you compliments for the way you framed the scene to shoot the photo. Photographer is an art. ....Love, Joanie

Joanie Bender (Grosfeld)

Helen, I just saw the video you posted and its just amazing that this kid ended up on the team and was such a big help to his classmates. I can see why this was so inspiring to you. It really shows someone who overcame an extreme adversity...I love how he won the game they showed in the last seconds with his shot into the basket. Love, Joanie